In 1939, shortly before World War II broke out across Europe, several authoritarians arranged a number of alliances in hopes of gaining more power.

The most surprising was Nazi Germany’s Adolf Hitler and Joseph Stalin of the Soviet Union.

Not only did they promise to not take military action against each other for the next 10 years, but they agreed to divide the spoils of war, starting with Poland. Consequently, some knew the German-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact wouldn’t last long, especially since the best weapon authoritarians have at their disposal is always war. This includes the need to have external enemies to exert internal control over people, and to dominate other authoritarians.

Authoritarians On The March…Again

Donald Trump has already shown a number of authoritarian traits. Along with fear and paranoia, he’s politicized domestic security agencies, packed the Supreme Court, and exercised presidential power to demonize and punish opponents. The same goes for trying to silence the media and for using “law and order” rhetoric to violate human rights. His public praise of other authoritarian leaders and their consolidation of power, like Russia’s Vladimir Putin, Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, and Kim Jong Un of North Korea, should raise alarm bells as well. This entails Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan who’s climbed to power on the ladder of a number of political and military and religious purges.

The same goes for Vladimir Putin. Not only has he too practiced widespread fraud at the ballot box rocketed around the internet, but he’s crushed popular movements and massive anti-government demonstrations. Political opponents have also been jailed or eliminated. Meanwhile, he’s always blamed the U.S. for engineering the breakup of the Soviet Union, eagerly plundering the fallen empire’s spoils, and of trying to keep Russia weak. His resentments, nurtured over the years, was no more evident than his aim to “coddle” and “groom” Trump while disrupting the 2016 U.S. presidential race. But again, his “New Russia” and absolute rule is what counts. They must reign supreme.

For Authoritarians, No Crisis Should Go To Waste

This is what makes his actions in the Sea of Azov and against Ukraine (and vice versa) so dangerous. Given authoritarians pave the road to war with good intentions, cries of patriotism and to protect the State and the general population usually goes along with them, it may not be long before a major conflict breaks out. For now, Russia will respond if Ukraine’s council declares war, or if NATO and the U.S. intervenes – which they have. After seizing three Ukrainian navy vessels and killing several sailors, it will moreover be emboldened to flex its military muscle in the region. This comes on the heels of taking over the Crimean Peninsula several years ago and battling Ukrainian forces.

Like Putin, Trump is deeply insecure about his hold on power – and the power others may try to exert. He too is particularly anxious of any revolt or action taken around the world or in the U.S. that could lead to his own end. Whereas the recent unrest in Ukraine has only intensified Putin’s paranoia, midterm elections and the damning findings in Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation has done the same to him. Not only is he planning a major offensive between now and Jan. 1, when a majority of Democrats take control of the House, but he’s looking for a major crisis to divert the public’s attention. No wonder he canceled a meeting with Putin at this weekend’s G-20 summit in Argentina.

Authoritarians And Tangled Webs They Weave

Nor was it surprising he just announced he’s open to preemptive military options against Iran, or U.S.-Saudi and U.S.-Israeli alliances have stepped-up their operations in Yemen and Syria. To be sure, both Trump and a coalition of Cold War warriors have now united against Russia’s influence in Iran, Yemen and Syria. The same goes for Poland and the Balkan peninsula and Afghanistan – where he now wants to stay indefinitely to counter Russian peace efforts. In the meantime, dishonest friendships, war mobilization, and entangled alliances were just as responsible for World War II as the rise of authoritarians. This included an arms industry that existed solely for profit.

For authoritarians hemmed in by constitutional constraints, a crisis like the Ukraine or Mueller’s Investigation – just to name two – represents opportunities to dismantle the inconvenient and sometimes threatening checks and balances that come with democratic politics. Such crises also allows autocrats to expand their room to maneuver and protect themselves from perceived enemies, making it easier to sweep aside democratic institutions and safeguards. Given Ukraine’s own authoritarian leader, the oligarch Petro Poroshenko, is in the midst of an election, it doesn’t take a stretch of imagination to imagine a coming war between Russia and a Ukrainian-U.S.-NATO Alliance.

Defense of Nationalism Used As Pretext For War

Like Hitler and Stalin’s alliance, which lasted only two years, neither should one be so naïve as to think friendships and treaties among authoritarians and extremely nationalistic countries don’t come with a price. Indeed, Hitler reminded the world any alliance whose purpose is not the intention to wage war is senseless and useless. This is especially true since authoritarians with aggressive traits and their overly nationalistic, expansionist states are inherently destructive even among those who collude or praise each other. Considering people can be brought to the bidding of leaders by telling them they are being attacked, it doesn’t take much for a crisis to explode.

Authoritarian Game-Changer

Regarding the risky thing about authoritarians going to war, something else should be considered. Nuclear weapons had not yet been developed. In the hands of today’s authoritarians, this is definitely a major game-changer.

(Dallas Darling is the author of Politics 501: An A-Z Reading on Conscientious Political Thought and Action, Some Nations Above God: 52 Weekly Reflections On Modern-Day Imperialism, Militarism, And Consumerism in the Context of John’s Apocalyptic Vision, and The Other Side Of Christianity: Reflections on Faith, Politics, Spirituality, History, and Peace. He is a correspondent for www.WN.com. You can read more of Dallas’ writings at www.beverlydarling.com and www.WN.com/dallasdarling.)

Key moments from the Trump-Putin press conference

published:16 Jul 2018

Key moments from the Trump-Putin press conference

Key moments from the Trump-Putin press conference

published:16 Jul 2018

views:424210

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin answered questions in Helsinki on Monday. Trump refused to back US intelligence agencies on their findings on Russian interference in the US presidential election. Trump declared the US and Russia\'s relationship to be strong, while Putin dodged questions on rumoured compromising material he held on Trump, and gave him a commemorative football
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Key moments from the Trump-Putin press conference

published:16 Jul 2018

views:424210

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin answered questions in Helsinki on Monday. Trump refused to back US intelligence agencies on their findings on Russian interference in the US presidential election. Trump declared the US and Russia\'s relationship to be strong, while Putin dodged questions on rumoured compromising material he held on Trump, and gave him a commemorative football
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During the G20 summit in Argentina, Russian President Vladimir Putin high-fives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who most of the world has castigated after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
President Donald Trump was only a half-hour into his nine-hour flight to the G20 summit here in the Argentine capital when he decided to pull the plug on the most hotly anticipated moment of his trip: a lengthy face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But while Trump\'s abrupt decision quashed concerns that the President would repeat his cozy performance alongside Putin during their last meeting in Helsinki, Finland, new allegations by the President\'s former longtime attorney Michael Cohen revived questions about Trump\'s financial ties to Russia as he arrived for the international summit.
Trump\'s planned meetings with a half-dozen other world leaders -- combined with the possibility of diplomatic snafus -- offer little promise of clearing the smoke of suspicion that is once again following him abroad.
The President also refused to back away from the shadow of the Mueller investigation, beginning his day with a fresh pair of tweets about the Cohen saga, saying his business dealings while a candidate were \"very legal & very cool.\"
Hours later, the White House press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement blaming the \"Russian Witch Hunt Hoax\" -- a reference to special counsel Robert Mueller\'s investigation -- for hurting US-Russia relations.
Read More here: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/30/politics/donald-trump-g20-putin-xi-diplomacy/index.html
#g20 #putin #CNN ...

During the G20 summit in Argentina, Russian President Vladimir Putin high-fives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who most of the world has castigated after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
President Donald Trump was only a half-hour into his nine-hour flight to the G20 summit here in the Argentine capital when he decided to pull the plug on the most hotly anticipated moment of his trip: a lengthy face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
But while Trump\'s abrupt decision quashed concerns that the President would repeat his cozy performance alongside Putin during their last meeting in Helsinki, Finland, new allegations by the President\'s former longtime attorney Michael Cohen revived questions about Trump\'s financial ties to Russia as he arrived for the international summit.
Trump\'s planned meetings with a half-dozen other world leaders -- combined with the possibility of diplomatic snafus -- offer little promise of clearing the smoke of suspicion that is once again following him abroad.
The President also refused to back away from the shadow of the Mueller investigation, beginning his day with a fresh pair of tweets about the Cohen saga, saying his business dealings while a candidate were \"very legal & very cool.\"
Hours later, the White House press secretary Sarah Sanders issued a statement blaming the \"Russian Witch Hunt Hoax\" -- a reference to special counsel Robert Mueller\'s investigation -- for hurting US-Russia relations.
Read More here: https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/30/politics/donald-trump-g20-putin-xi-diplomacy/index.html
#g20 #putin #CNN ...

Putin comments on Russia-US relations following summit with Trump

published:24 Jul 2018

Putin comments on Russia-US relations following summit with Trump

Putin comments on Russia-US relations following summit with Trump

published:24 Jul 2018

views:288

(19 Jul 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russian-American relations are in an \"extremely unsatisfactory\" state and that he and US President Donald Trump agree that cooperation is the way forward.
Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow that US-Russian relations are \"in some ways worse than during the Cold War\" but that his meeting with Trump in Helsinki on Monday allowed them to start on a path towards positive change.
He said that it would be \"naive to think that years of problems would be resolved within a few hours,\" adding, \"but no one expected that.\"
During his address, the Russian leader expressed concern about unnamed \"forces\" in the US, trying to prevent any improvement in relations, notably cooperation in the Syria war or arms control.
In his first comments about the summit, Putin insisted that Russia remains \"open to contacts with the US.\"
Trump has come under widespread domestic criticism about the meeting.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded:
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Putin comments on Russia-US relations following summit with Trump

published:24 Jul 2018

views:288

(19 Jul 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russian-American relations are in an \"extremely unsatisfactory\" state and that he and US President Donald Trump agree that cooperation is the way forward.
Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow that US-Russian relations are \"in some ways worse than during the Cold War\" but that his meeting with Trump in Helsinki on Monday allowed them to start on a path towards positive change.
He said that it would be \"naive to think that years of problems would be resolved within a few hours,\" adding, \"but no one expected that.\"
During his address, the Russian leader expressed concern about unnamed \"forces\" in the US, trying to prevent any improvement in relations, notably cooperation in the Syria war or arms control.
In his first comments about the summit, Putin insisted that Russia remains \"open to contacts with the US.\"
Trump has come under widespread domestic criticism about the meeting.
===========================================================
Clients are reminded:
(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com
(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service
(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for ...

Trump to Putin: ‘I think we’ll end up having an extraordinary relationship’

published:16 Jul 2018

Trump to Putin: ‘I think we’ll end up having an extraordinary relationship’

Trump to Putin: ‘I think we’ll end up having an extraordinary relationship’

published:16 Jul 2018

views:392262

Amid United States tensions with Russia, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down before one-on-one summit July 16 in Helsinki’s Presidential Palace. Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qiJ4dy
Follow us:
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Trump to Putin: ‘I think we’ll end up having an extraordinary relationship’

published:16 Jul 2018

views:392262

Amid United States tensions with Russia, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down before one-on-one summit July 16 in Helsinki’s Presidential Palace. Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qiJ4dy
Follow us:
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President Trump invites Putin for a US visit this fall

published:20 Jul 2018

President Trump invites Putin for a US visit this fall

President Trump invites Putin for a US visit this fall

published:20 Jul 2018

views:27769

Trump says he\'ll be Putin\'s \'worst enemy\' if U.S.-Russia relations \'don\'t work out.\' Kevin Corke reports from the White House.
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for more than 16 years and according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll, is the most trusted television news source in the country. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in more than 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.
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President Trump invites Putin for a US visit this fall

published:20 Jul 2018

views:27769

Trump says he\'ll be Putin\'s \'worst enemy\' if U.S.-Russia relations \'don\'t work out.\' Kevin Corke reports from the White House.
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in cable, FNC has been the most watched television news channel for more than 16 years and according to a Suffolk University/USA Today poll, is the most trusted television news source in the country. Owned by 21st Century Fox, FNC is available in more than 90 million homes and dominates the cable news landscape, routinely notching the top ten programs in the genre.
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Preparations and Hype For G20 Underway: Will Meeting Between Putin and Trump Salvage Relations?

published:29 Nov 2018

Preparations and Hype For G20 Underway: Will Meeting Between Putin and Trump Salvage Relations?

Preparations and Hype For G20 Underway: Will Meeting Between Putin and Trump Salvage Relations?

published:29 Nov 2018

views:1839

Subscribe to Vesti News https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa8MaD6gQscto_Nq1i49iew?sub_confirmation=1
Next week is going to be stressful and resonant for the Russian president. At least, due to the G20 summit in Argentina, where apparently negotiations will finally take place between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. We hope that if agreements are achieved this time, they won\'t immediately be disavowed by the US as they were after the previous meetings when Trump was immediately criticized by his political opponents and the White House practically took the words back....

Preparations and Hype For G20 Underway: Will Meeting Between Putin and Trump Salvage Relations?

published:29 Nov 2018

views:1839

Subscribe to Vesti News https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa8MaD6gQscto_Nq1i49iew?sub_confirmation=1
Next week is going to be stressful and resonant for the Russian president. At least, due to the G20 summit in Argentina, where apparently negotiations will finally take place between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. We hope that if agreements are achieved this time, they won\'t immediately be disavowed by the US as they were after the previous meetings when Trump was immediately criticized by his political opponents and the White House practically took the words back....

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin answered questions in Helsinki on Monday. Trump refused to back US intelligence agencies on their findings on Russian interference in the US presidential election. Trump declared the US and Russia\'s relationship to be strong, while Putin dodged questions on rumoured c

During the G20 summit in Argentina, Russian President Vladimir Putin high-fives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who most of the world has castigated after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
President Donald Trump was only a half-hour into his nine-hour flight to the G20 summit here in

(19 Jul 2018) Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that Russian-American relations are in an \"extremely unsatisfactory\" state and that he and US President Donald Trump agree that cooperation is the way forward.
Putin told Russian diplomats in Moscow that US-Russian relations are \"in s

Amid United States tensions with Russia, President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin sat down before one-on-one summit July 16 in Helsinki’s Presidential Palace. Subscribe to The Washington Post on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2qiJ4dy
Follow us:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/washingtonpost
Instag

Trump says he\'ll be Putin\'s \'worst enemy\' if U.S.-Russia relations \'don\'t work out.\' Kevin Corke reports from the White House.
FOX News Channel (FNC) is a 24-hour all-encompassing news service dedicated to delivering breaking news as well as political and business news. The number one network in

Subscribe to Vesti News https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCa8MaD6gQscto_Nq1i49iew?sub_confirmation=1
Next week is going to be stressful and resonant for the Russian president. At least, due to the G20 summit in Argentina, where apparently negotiations will finally take place between Vladimir Putin a